Investigations of electric strength in electrode-liquid dielectric systems were carried out with two liquids (castor oil and perfluorodecalin) and various pairs of similar and dissimilar metals (Pt, Ni, Al, Au, Zn, Pb, In). Electric breakdown intensity was found to depend on difference in electron work functions for cathode and anode and could be twice increased by proper choice of electrode materials. Among other factors affecting electric strength were the following: permittivity of liquids, interelectrode gap and electric field orientation. Of great importance were the absolute values of work functions for electrode materials.